We can't have a rugby world cup but no forum.
So... if the All Blacks were a public company with a P/E of 45, with a sector average of around 22, would you buy them now?
Or in other words which team is going to win the World Cup?
Air New Zealand launches live sport channel onboard some aircraft
https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/news/132840354/air-new-zealand-launches-live-sport-channel-onboard-some-aircraft
Who do I want to win: All Blacks.
Who do I think will win: South Africa.
Who do I want to win should the AB's not make it: France, Ireland, England in that order.
Who do I think will win from the latter group should both the AB's and SA not make it: Ireland.
Ignoring potential quarter finals lineup.
Italy have beaten each of the tier 1 nations at some point, except England (AFAIK) and the All Blacks. A first for everything, but not this weekend I hope.
Quote from: Onemootpoint on Sep 29, 2023, 02:15 AMItaly have beaten each of the tier 1 nations at some point, except England (AFAIK) and the All Blacks. A first for everything, but not this weekend I hope.
That was a shellacking! Hard to know what to make of it. Italy were awful. I haven't seen the ABs decimate so completely a scrum and lineout against an opposition that prides itself on those aspects.
It was a try fest for sure, but as Dane Coles said as a reality check, they achieved nothing yet. Scrum was certainly impressive and so were 14 tries. But then Scotland scored 12.
To some extent it feels that whoever wins the quarters win the cup, at this stage.
Seems Australia is out after the first round. What a disaster. We can probably track their downward trajectory back to the Raelene Castel / Israel Folau drama's. The Fiji/Portugal game is going to be a cracker.
Quote from: Minimoke on Oct 03, 2023, 07:02 AMSeems Australia is out after the first round. What a disaster. We can probably track their downward trajectory back to the Raelene Castel / Israel Folau drama's. The Fiji/Portugal game is going to be a cracker.
I'm still recovering from the NRL grand final. What an epic! Two teams I don't even like but what intensity, pace and drama. So few stoppages - only a couple of penalties all game. League has the formula right...it's mostly a much better watch than Union.
Quote from: Hectorplains on Oct 03, 2023, 09:01 AMI'm still recovering from the NRL grand final. What an epic! Two teams I don't even like but what intensity, pace and drama. So few stoppages - only a couple of penalties all game. League has the formula right...it's mostly a much better watch than Union.
I prefer Union, but enjoy sports in general and watch the odd league game when I can. I was really hoping for a Warriors grand final win this year; it has been a long time since the last time we came close. But not to be. As you said, the grand final was epic.
The game of the cup thus far is being touted as South Africa vs Ireland. Yet the ball was only in play for a total of 27 minutes. And that 27 would include a lot of static play like rucks. Purists may enjoy scrum resets, line out drives and endless crash ball straight to ground from midfield pods. They may also understand the myriad of complex rules that even the players can't fathom (judging by the amount of muttering and headshaking at every one, of the frequent, penalties whistled.) I reckon for the average punter it's a huge turn off which is reflected in things like pitiful Super Rugby audiences. Most of Union's recent innovations have been flogged straight from league (40-20, goal line drop outs.) Maybe they should pinch a few more. Like moving the offside line to 5 meters behind the ruck to create some space for the attacking team.
With the 'favourite' out, we're a step closer. Will be interesting to see how the French deal with the Springboks in a few hours.
have to back the french on this one ... even if they arnt FAV...
dont follow this sport ... are the French any good?
or are they just too full of color...
They are or rather were good this year.
I think they -payed a slightly better game just now, especially the first 60 minutes, but lost it by one point.
Thatbcharge down of the French conversion turned out to be crucial.
Oh dear the french foiled again ... sad day they can always have visit one of those lose lovely cafes in Provence and fleece the tourists..
as long as they put on a good event it seems from the TV that many KIWI celebs enjoyed the event and all relations between NZ and France...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1GHqyu-hTNU
England the bronze, and Rugby was the loser.
Should be a good battle tomorrow.
Quote from: Basil on Oct 28, 2023, 02:04 PMShould be a good battle tomorrow.
Hope so, felt somewhat cheated this morning but that dire dirge.
It must be a bit sh*t to be a British sports fan ATM, what with their imminent death in pool play at the cricket also.
Only a few hours to go.
Hope it's a good game. Finals aren't always pretty.
The major teams (favourites) have been difficult to gauge this year. They have all won or lost games we didn't expect them to.
SA displayed some serious scrum power but lagged in the line outs. They have straight line sprinters - if they get hold of the ball. Are they going to focus on 10-man rugby with up and unders trying to find a weak point. Haven't checked the weather and related conditions though.
Stupid ugly game. Red card was way too harsh.
Rugby was definitely not the winner from that game.
So its official. NZ will be entering a recession, if not a deep depression.
I genuinely don't mind losing to SA. They did enough to win. I don't like losing to the English nor Wayne Barnes. The officiating has been very inconsistent the entire tournament. Michael Cheika had some fair comments after the 3rd/4th final, even if it does cost him a percentage of his salary.
Deathly quiet outside today....no mowers, no cars, no planes....I think that is the sound of rugby dying in NZ. What 10yo wants to aspire to that farce of a final? Rugby has some serious issues it needs to fix - I have said for some time it would be the officials who decided the winner.
Oh well...c'est la vie. Bonne journée à tous.
Magnificent advertisement for rugby, rugby league that is...
Quote from: Hectorplains on Oct 29, 2023, 05:31 PMMagnificent advertisement for rugby, rugby league that is...
Jeez - Panthers Broncos was the most exciting game I've seen all year 👍👍
And NRL seems quite proactive with head protection ref rulings and rule changes over the last year or 2 with a smidge less bureaucracy in the final
Hmmm
Springboks seem to be experts at slowing the game - conferences before a line out, seems to some convenient "injuries" so they can rest and recoup/plan.
I know most teams do it to an extent, but they are the experts and do not seem to get pinged.
Plus I'm not sure what all the shuffling around in the line out we did, did not achieve much, once or twice mistimed and either the Boks got it or it went past everyone - hardly ever to throw short to the front these days.
Lastly, is the TMO suppose to assist the ref or the ref assist the TMO - seems to be the latter these days (not just this game)
Quote from: Hectorplains on Oct 29, 2023, 05:31 PMMagnificent advertisement for rugby, rugby league that is...
Bingo. Fortunately, I slept in a bit and recorded it on My Sky so I could fast forward through all the boring bits, (most of the game), at 30 times fast forward.
Quote from: Hectorplains on Oct 29, 2023, 05:31 PMMagnificent advertisement for rugby, rugby league that is...
I've been a convert to RL since the Warriors started. Its no contest for me, RL is much more exciting, especially when watching it in person at a sports ground. If you havent been to a live RL game, you should go, you will immediately see what I mean.
The squad missed out on $115,000 per person by not winning. Ouch, talk about rubbing salt into the wound !
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby-world-cup-2023/300998693/the-hefty-bonus-that-went-begging-after-the-all-blacks-lost-the-world-cup-final
Quote from: Onemootpoint on Sep 28, 2023, 02:28 AMWho do I want to win: All Blacks.
Who do I think will win: South Africa.
Yep, not quite the result I was hopping for. I was hoping to be wrong in my 'speculation' of sorts.
Both teams back at their respective homes....
All Blacks demanding answers from World Rugby over refereeing in Rugby World Cup final
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby-world-cup-2023/133216735/all-blacks-demanding-answers-from-world-rugby-over-refereeing-in-rugby-world-cup-final
Springboks arrive to heroes' welcome in South Africa after Rugby World Cup triumph
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby-world-cup-2023/301000442/springboks-arrive-to-heroes-welcome-in-south-africa-after-rugby-world-cup-triumph
....and as if to rub it in, the Blacks Caps are struggling against the South African team (at the time of writing/ posting)
No joy in the cricket either. South Africa put up a mammoth score of 357; we couldn't even reach half of that. All out within 36 overs with for a mere 167 on the scoreboard.
Quote from: Hectorplains on Oct 03, 2023, 09:01 AM..... League has the formula right...it's mostly a much better watch than Union.
You're in good company.....
Get rid of it out of our game': Sir Steve Hansen wants major changes to rugby ruleshttps://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby-world-cup-2023/133225114/get-rid-of-it-out-of-our-game-sir-steve-hansen-wants-major-changes-to-rugby-rules
"The problem is the way that we're controlling the game, it's being refereed in replay
Hansen said rugby can learn a lot from the way rugby league is using its bunker."
Quote from: Onemootpoint on Nov 03, 2023, 02:13 AMYou're in good company.....
Get rid of it out of our game': Sir Steve Hansen wants major changes to rugby rules
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby-world-cup-2023/133225114/get-rid-of-it-out-of-our-game-sir-steve-hansen-wants-major-changes-to-rugby-rules
"The problem is the way that we're controlling the game, it's being refereed in replay
Hansen said rugby can learn a lot from the way rugby league is using its bunker."
Huge blow for the Warriors losing AFB. 2024 season is looking like toast now. They really needed to
secure another decent prop, rather than lose the best one in the league. Frustrating for the fans that contracts don't carry much weight in this comp. Too much waka jumping for "compassionate" reasons. Weirdly, that was the reason AFB came to the Warriors in the first place from Manly. Now suddenly he needs to be in Sydney all the time with his Mum, even though they're over there ever three weeks anyway. How much Mumsy time does a 28 year old behemoth need?!?!
Quote from: Onemootpoint on Nov 03, 2023, 02:13 AMYou're in good company.....
Get rid of it out of our game': Sir Steve Hansen wants major changes to rugby rules
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby-world-cup-2023/133225114/get-rid-of-it-out-of-our-game-sir-steve-hansen-wants-major-changes-to-rugby-rules
"The problem is the way that we're controlling the game, it's being refereed in replay
Hansen said rugby can learn a lot from the way rugby league is using its bunker."
I hope you got to enjoy the league yesterday, OMP? Magnificent to marmalize the Aussies. Even though it was one-sided it was still a great spectacle. The ref made a couple of howlers (2 forward passes in particular) but that didn't unduly influence the game. There where 5 times as many tackles as in Union - but not even a penalty needed for illegality in that regard. The only shame of it was the tiny crowd, a woeful turnout by our chlamydia capital.
Yes, I did watch it, and despite the one-sidedness I thoroughly enjoyed in particular the Kangaroos' 0. That is not something that happens everyday.
Interesting that after all the commotion about AFB it appears he's staying on for at least next season it seems.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/opinion/301003971/mark-reason-why-rugbys-new-700-microchipped-mouthguards-are-scary
Quote from: Basil on Nov 08, 2023, 04:03 PMhttps://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/opinion/301003971/mark-reason-why-rugbys-new-700-microchipped-mouthguards-are-scary
World Rugby is integrating smart mouthguard technology into the Head Injury Assessment as part of global player welfare measures. They're doing that because they have to address the impact of head injuries. One might easily argue that a potentially ruinous (https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/jun/23/rugby-union-players-court-case-over-brain-injuries-begins-in-high-court) court case is the primary catalyst, rather than any deep seated care of duty towards their players. Reason's attempts to smear the new mouthguard requirements as corruption and a further means to pass control of the game to TMOs is conspiracy theory level thinking. Rugby has huge issues with the complexity of its rule book and how to referee that. Mouthguards are not even remotely relevant in that conversation. This is a really stupid article.
For those who gave interest in union but underwhelmed, or is that overwhelmed and unimpressed by some of the current rules and the officiating thereof, and have 5 minutes to kill (humorous):
How Rugby Was Invented!!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxuijLjeSVw